Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

[smeddley]

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."

Didn't the movie say 'more'? Which I think is more accurate. It does take more courage to stand up to your friends. Anyway, really one of the best moments of the book. Poor Neville. Gotta like him. He's not popular, or a hero, or good at anything, but he'd a nice, honest person.

This is the first time I've re-read the book, and I have to say a lot of the characters are very different from the movie. And the writing? Okay, it's not great. But it is engrossing. Easy to follow and very entertaining.

There are a lot of things about the book, little facts and nuances, that are lost in the movie. But the movie has the advantage of being, well, a movie! I do find, in a lot of ways, movies more memorable. Actually, I should say that decent movies more memorable. I've blocked most of Michael Crichton's books-turned-into-movies out of my head (with the exception of Jurassic Park, which was okay) because so many of them were so bad (Congo? Sphere? Need I say more?). And don't even get me started again on A Sound of Thunder. Poor Ray Bradbury must be turning in his grave!

I can't say which I like more. I like being compared to the Hermione of the movie better than the book (she comes off far more likable in the movie!), and I like the fact that the books give us a little more insight into the characters. But the sheer pleasure of watching something like the Quidditch match on the big screen instead of reading and trying to visualize it...

Comments

[clare-dragonfly.livejournal.com]

I adore Neville.

And the writing? Okay, it's not great. But it is engrossing. Easy to follow and very entertaining.

That's exactly how I feel about it. That's why I was able to sit all day and read HBP when it came out, and why I expect to do the same with DH. It's not just to avoid being spoiled--it's just easy to do!

Are you rereading the series in preparation for DH? I did that for HBP.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wanted the book story line 'fresh' in my mind. I'll probably wait to see the movie until after I finish the last book, to avoid cross-contamination.

Even though I do really want to see the movie - and even have an AMC gift card to spend - I'm kind of dreading going to the theater. It almost always sucks for me. :/

[cottonsilver.livejournal.com]

Do they rename all books for the US audience?

It's the Philosophers Stone here. The Philip Pullman books have different titles as well. I wonder why.

I personally love the books, I'm rereading Goblet of Fire with my daughter, and the Prisoner of Azkaban with little legs. The books have a humour that the movies lack, as well as a darkness, the kids are addicted.

Voldemort tiptoes through their dreams, in the way that the Snow Queen, and Alice tiptoed through mine.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I think this is the only one that was re-named. Probably because we wouldn't 'get' the other title - kinda like y'all call a pharmacist a 'chemist'. Weirdos. ;)

I agree, there's a lot more to the books. I'm really enjoying the re-read, and I honestly didn't think I would. I'm the type who generally doesn't like reading a book or watching a movie if I know how it'll end, but this time... I'm enjoying the subtle nuances I've forgotten about, or missed the first time 'round.